Content

• Steps

Jaundice, also called hyperbilirubinemia, is a common condition in babies that can be experienced by adults. Jaundice occurs when the level of bilirubin (a chemical in the liver bile) increases. This condition causes the skin, whites of the eyes and mucous membranes to turn yellow. Although not exactly a serious condition, jaundice can be a sign of another condition that requires treatment.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Finding medical attention

1. 

   Make an appointment with your doctor. See a doctor as soon as possible if you or your child develops jaundice. This symptom does not require treatment, but if it is caused by another illness, you must treat it. Some of the symptoms of short-term jaundice in adults are:
   • Fever
   • Chills
   • Stomachache
   • Other flu-like symptoms
   • The skin and the whites of the eyes turn pale yellow.

2. 

   
   
   Seek treatment for children and infants with jaundice. Jaundice can also be found in children and infants, but it is common in infants and it usually resolves on its own within two weeks. However, severe jaundice has the potential to cause dangerous complications in the infant.
   • To check for jaundice, look for signs of yellow complexion and yellow color in the whites of the eyes of an infant or young child.
   • If your child has this, contact a doctor immediately.

3. 

   
   
   See your doctor for a sure diagnosis. In adults jaundice is usually caused by another disease and requires treatment. Your doctor has to do tests to determine which disease is causing your jaundice and plan your treatment afterwards. You may need blood tests, an ultrasound, a CT scan or even a liver biopsy to find the cause of the jaundice. Common diseases that cause jaundice include:
   • Hepatitis A
   • Chronic hepatitis B and C
   • Epstein-Barr virus infection or infectious mononucleosis
   • Excessive alcohol consumption
   • Autoimmune or genetic disorder
   • Gallstones
   • Cholecystitis
   • Gallbladder cancer
   • Pancreatitis
   • Some medications like acetaminophen, penicillin, oral contraceptive pills and steroids also cause jaundice.
   • Your doctor can diagnose jaundice by looking for signs of liver disease such as bruising, astrocytoma, palmar erythema, and a urine test that shows bilirubin. They may also take pictures or have a liver biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.

4. 

   
   
   Treat the underlying disease. If a doctor finds out that a condition is the cause of jaundice, they will treat it to see if other related problems go away. The jaundice may go away after you treat the underlying cause and complications.

5. 

   Wait for the disease to heal on its own. Most jaundice usually goes away on its own without treatment. Talk to your doctor to make sure that pre-treatment is the best option for you, especially if you have another underlying condition that is the cause of jaundice.

6. 

   Take medication for itching. Some people with jaundice experience itching. If the itching becomes bothersome or interfering with your everyday life, you can take medications like cholestyramine to relieve your symptoms.
   • The mechanism of action of cholestyramine is the control of cholesterol in the liver.
   • Side effects of this medication include stomach upset, indigestion, nausea, flatulence, and constipation.

7. 

   Seek treatment for the newborn. Jaundice is very common in babies, but as in adults, it rarely requires treatment. However, if the doctor concludes that your child has jaundice, they often recommend one of the following treatments to aid in recovery:
   • Phototherapy is a method that uses light to help your baby get rid of excess bilirubin.
   • Intravenous immunoglobulins can reduce the antibody levels that are the cause of jaundice in newborn babies.
   • A blood transfusion is a form of blood transfusion that removes small amounts of blood and dilutes bilirubin levels. Blood transfusion is usually only used in very severe cases of jaundice.
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Part 2 of 2: Prevention of jaundice

1. 

   Avoid hepatitis. Hepatitis virus infection is one of the main causes of jaundice in adults. Trying to avoid as much as possible exposure to this virus will help you reduce the risk of hepatitis and jaundice.
   • You can prevent hepatitis A by getting vaccinated. This is a popular vaccine so everyone has access to it.
   • Hepatitis A is spread when people ingest small amounts of the secretions found in dirty food. Be cautious when you eat out, as these foods may not be cooked and cooked properly.
   • Hepatitis B is prevented by vaccination. This vaccine can be given to anyone from infants to adults.
   • There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C.
   • Hepatitis B and C are spread through the blood and body fluids of an infected person, but not through casual contact. Avoid reusing any needles from tattoo needles to drug needles to prevent virus transmission.

2. 

   Limit alcohol consumption to allowable levels. Since the liver is responsible for processing alcohol and is the source of jaundice, you should limit your alcohol consumption to the recommended level. This not only eliminates jaundice, but also helps prevent alcohol-related liver diseases such as cirrhosis.
   • The recommended daily limit for women is 20-30 ml of pure alcohol, for men 30-40 ml.
   • For practical reference, a bottle of wine contains about 90-100 ml of pure alcohol.

3. 

   Maintain a healthy weight. Keeping a steady weight within a healthy range can improve overall health, while maintaining liver health and thus preventing jaundice.
   • Maintaining a healthy weight is easy if you eat a healthy, balanced, and well-balanced diet. Foods rich in nutrients, with moderate amounts of fat and complex carbohydrates are the best for overall health.
   • Depending on the level of activity, the amount of calories consumed per day is about 1,800-2,200. Get energy from whole foods rich in nutrients such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, dairy foods, and lean protein.
   • Exercise is important for weight and overall health.
   • Participate in low-impact and moderate-intensity cardiovascular activities daily. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, most days of the week, is a goal.

4. 

   Control your cholesterol. Controlling cholesterol levels within the range allows not only to prevent jaundice but also to maintain general health. Cholesterol is controlled through healthy diet and exercise, or prescription medications in other cases.
   • Eat plenty of soluble fiber, healthy fats, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids to control cholesterol levels. Foods like lean meats, low-fat dairy products, olive oil, salmon, almonds, oats, lentils, and vegetables contain these three nutrients.
   • Reduce or eliminate trans fats from your diet. Trans fats raise bad cholesterol, also known as LDL cholesterol. Limit or stop consuming foods like fried foods and commercial products, including baked goods and cookies that can control cholesterol.
   • Exercising for 30 minutes a day increases the good cholesterol, also known as HDL cholesterol.
   • There is some evidence that quitting smoking causes HDL cholesterol levels to rise.

5. 

   Make sure babies eat well. Infants need to be well fed throughout the day because this is the best way to prevent jaundice in children.

6. 

   If you are breastfeeding your baby, you should breastfeed 8-12 times a day for the first week after birth.
   • If your baby is drinking formula, the amount of milk to feed your baby is 30-60 ml every 2-3 hours during the first week after birth.
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